(timeline; between season 2 & 3)

crush - ethel cain

"So... are you and Lucas, like, dating now?" It was a simple question, and it came off as a casual one. One Mike had easily played off as just small talk.

In actuality, the question had been on Mike's mind for a long time. At least five months.

Mike should've to shoot his shot with Max ages ago. But at the time, when he'd first met her, Mike didn't want her around. He'd said it was because he didn't like her, but it was quite the opposite.

Mike hadn't wanted her around because he did like her. And that made him feel guilty.

It made him feel guilty because he felt an obligation to stay loyal to El, because El had been missing at the time and would've been crushed with the knowledge, it made him feel guilty because two of his other friends, Dustin and Lucas, were equally enamored with Max as he secretly was.

But now, Dustin had backed off, him and El had agree to just being friends, and she was home. The only issue was Lucas, hence his question.

Max shrugged in response, her eyes never leaving the paper in front of her as she colored in the sketch she'd done of her D&D character. "Not officially," was her off-handed answer.

Mike's brows furrowed slightly, eyes flicking over Max's face.

Not officially. Was that a good or bad answer? It meant that no, she and Lucas weren't technically in a labeled, committed relationship.

But the wording choice of "not officially" instead of just a plain "no" implied that she and Lucas had something going on, even if they weren't official yet. Mike had already sort of known that, though; she and Lucas had danced together at the Snow Ball four months ago, and Lucas had clearly been pursuing her.

But if they weren't together, then at least Mike could morally attempt to pursue Max.

It was ironic, almost. Mike had tried fighting so hard for Max to not join the party just a few months ago, and now here he was, wondering whether or not he could have a chance with her.

Mike nodded, leaning back in his seat on the couch. "Okay, well..." he shrugged, "Do you like him?"